The Warriors forwards opened aggressively against the vaunted Dragons pack, giving the home side the edge in territory and
possession.

They failed to profit from that advantage, though, the opening half hour yielding three Jenkins penalties but seeing Warlow
reply with two penalties and a fine drop goal.

Kilgore had warned both sides for negative play before Dragons lock Gough killed it on the floor on the half hour.

Gerald Arasa takes on the Warriors defence

A trip to the sin bin resulted, but all the Warriors could manage during his absence was a failed Jenkins shot at goal.

No sooner had Gough returned than Dragons captain Marinos was binned for killing the ball, but Jenkins missed the resulting
penalty to leave it level after an appalling first half.

The 14-man Dragons took the lead early in the second period with another Warlow penalty, but the Warriors fired back and
determined to make the most of their numerical advantage by booting a kickable penalty to the corner.

The forwards won the ball and recycled, freeing powerful Tongan winger Havili who plunged over from five yards.

I was just pleased that we came away with a win

Warriors coach Lynn Howells

Warriors full-back Lewis was the next man to see yellow after handling on the floor to end a promising Dragons attack.

Still the game failed to open up. Havili went close to his second try with an excellent run, only to be denied by a superb Jamie Ringer covering tackle.

But the next points had to wait until the 73rd minute when a Jenkins penalty took the Warriors seven points clear.

The Dragons mounted a late, sustained assault on the home side's line, but inspiration was lacking and the Warriors held on
for a much-needed win.

"I was just pleased that we came away with a win, given the number of players we had on World Cup duty," said Warriors coach Lynn Howells.